Learn 5 More Of The Most Important Human Characteristics To Be A Great Human

CREATIVITY | CURIOSITY | EMPATHY | FAIRNESS | FLEXIBILITY

Four Short Stories

The Forgotten Tune

James sat by the piano, fingers hovering over the keys, a forgotten melody dancing just beyond his grasp. It had been years since he played—life had consumed him with its relentless demands, pulling him away from his passion.

But tonight, something stirred. His fingers hesitated, then pressed down on the keys. A haunting note echoed in the quiet room, then another, until the song flowed like water. The melody was imperfect, flawed in places, yet achingly familiar.

As the final note faded, James realized something profound: creativity had not been lost—it simply waited, patiently, for him to remember.

The Door

Emma had walked past the old door she had seen for many years, its brass handle tarnished, its frame cloaked in ivy. No one in the village spoke of it. Some said it led to nothing, others claimed it was surely cursed. But Emma’s curiosity gnawed at her.

One evening, unable to resist, she approached. Her heart raced as she turned the handle. With a creak, the door opened. Beyond was not darkness, but a garden, wild and overgrown, bathed in golden light.

Emma stepped inside, breathless, realizing that sometimes curiosity doesn’t answer questions—it opens entirely new worlds.

The Stranger’s Shoes

Maya watched the old man struggle with his grocery bags, his face lined with exhaustion. People passed by without a glance or notice, lost in their own worlds. She hesitated, then approached him.

“Can I help you?” she asked gently.

The man’s weary eyes brightened with surprise. Together, they carried the bags to the bus stop. As they walked, he shared stories of loss, of family far away.

When they reached the stop, he smiled softly. “Thank you,” he said.

Maya realized then that sometimes, empathy isn’t about fixing anything—it’s about being there, even if just for a moment.

The Equal Share

The village had one well, and as the drought dragged on, tempers flared. People began arguing over who deserved more water. It was daily dschaos, until Old Marcus stepped forward, his voice calm but firm.

“We will divide theswater equally,” he said. “No one gets more, no one gets less. We all need it to survive.”

Some grumbled, but the crowd quieted as buckets were distributed. Each person took their share, no more, no less. As the well ran dry for the day, they finally understood: fairness wasn’t about satisfying everyone—it was about ensuring no one ever went without.

The Broken Day

Sophie had her day meticulously planned—meetings, errands, and a long overdue dinner date. Everything was set. But when her car broke down in the middle of nowhere, the plan unraveled. She felt frustration rising, but there was no fixing it now.

Instead of panicking, Sophie paused, took a deep breath, and called a tow truck. While waiting, she sat in a nearby café, reading the book she never had time for.

The day didn’t go as planned, but it unfolded differently, in a quieter, more peaceful way. Flexibility, she realized, wasn’t about giving up—it was about letting go.

---

Looking Forward:

• Next week, we’ll cover five traits.

• The last issue in their series will cover one exceptional trait. I’m also going to have a guest writer, Libby Shively McAvoy. I’m sure many of you know her writing.

If the concept of 5 traits, in 100 words each in your inbox, sounds engaging, please give me some feedback. DR

My I bribe you?

I’d like to offer you a FREE gift in exchange for putting you on our TinyTales.Press website email list. We won’t share it. If you’ll click here, you’ll get the brief details.

Thank you,

DR